Oxford University Walking Tour by Alumni with Optional New College Visit
by Oxford Alumni Tours
Choose from 6 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.£50Overview
This walking tour of Oxford University is led by alumni who share personal insights along with detailed information about the city’s history, architecture, and student life. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and covers a route of approximately 2.5 miles, focusing on outdoor locations such as streets, squares, and the exteriors of colleges. The guide wears a royal blue item of clothing with a heraldic shield for easy identification and meets guests outside at the red pillar mailbox in front of 11 Broad Street. The tour includes stops at Balliol College, Trinity College, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, All Souls College, the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oriel College, and Christ Church Meadow. Visitors learn about university traditions, student life, the Oxbridge application process, and the Oxford graduation ceremony. When possible, the group may enter the Divinity School, known for its appearance in the Harry Potter films. After the walking portion, there is an optional self-guided visit to New College, one of Oxford’s historic colleges. This visit requires a short walk to the entrance on Holywell Street and is available only during specified spring and summer dates, with last entry at 4:30 pm and departure by 5:00 pm. The New College visit is independent and not guided. The tour covers quiet college lanes and meadows associated with authors Lewis Carroll, C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, and J. K. Rowling, and highlights Oxford’s mix of Gothic and Baroque architecture. The entire experience lasts between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours, depending on whether the New College visit is included. Wheelchair users can join the tour, though one small area is inaccessible, and some parts of New College may be difficult to access due to uneven surfaces.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Meeting Point at 11 Broad Street
Meet the guide outside at the red pillar mailbox in front of 11 Broad Street. The guide will wear a royal blue item with a heraldic shield, which could be a jacket, cap, beanie, scarf, or polo shirt.
Balliol College
View one of the oldest university colleges and learn about its architectural significance while gaining an overview of Oxford University’s history.
5 min
Trinity College
Hear about unusual traditions associated with the college, including student pranks and the presence of tortoises, illustrating aspects of student life.
5 min
Sheldonian Theatre
Learn about the 13 busts displayed on the pillars and receive clarification on a common misconception about the building.
5 min
Divinity School and Graduation Ceremony
Learn details of the Oxford graduation ceremony and, when possible, view the interior of the Divinity School, known for its appearance in the Harry Potter films.
10 min
Bodleian Library
Discover some of the library’s treasures among its collection of 12 million books and hear about its long history.
5 min
Radcliffe Camera
Examine the famous dome, known as one of the Oxford Dreaming Spires, and learn why the building’s name does not relate to photography.
5 min
All Souls College
Hear about the rigorous examination required for admission and be presented with examples of past exam questions.
5 min
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Understand the historical tensions between the university and the town while viewing the church’s architecture.
5 min
Oriel College
Learn about protests related to the college’s history and its main funder.
10 min
Christ Church Meadow
Visit one of Oxford’s well-known sites, associated with several prominent historical figures linked to the college.
10 min
New College Self-Guided Visit
If this option is selected, after the walking tour, visitors walk to New College on Holywell Street for a self-guided visit. Open from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm (spring/summer 2025), with last entry at 4:30 pm and all visitors leaving by 5:00 pm.
45 min
Meeting point
Important: meet the guide OUTSIDE the address, not inside. The location is not part of our business. The meeting point is the RED PILLAR MAILBOX in front of 11 Broad Street. Your guide wears a royal blue item of clothing with a heraldic shield—this may be a jacket, cap, beanie, scarf, or polo shirt.
End point
If the New College option is selected
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Oxford University Walking Tour by Alumni with Optional New College Visit
by Oxford Alumni Tours
Choose from 6 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.£50Overview
This walking tour of Oxford University is led by alumni who share personal insights along with detailed information about the city’s history, architecture, and student life. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and covers a route of approximately 2.5 miles, focusing on outdoor locations such as streets, squares, and the exteriors of colleges. The guide wears a royal blue item of clothing with a heraldic shield for easy identification and meets guests outside at the red pillar mailbox in front of 11 Broad Street. The tour includes stops at Balliol College, Trinity College, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, All Souls College, the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oriel College, and Christ Church Meadow. Visitors learn about university traditions, student life, the Oxbridge application process, and the Oxford graduation ceremony. When possible, the group may enter the Divinity School, known for its appearance in the Harry Potter films. After the walking portion, there is an optional self-guided visit to New College, one of Oxford’s historic colleges. This visit requires a short walk to the entrance on Holywell Street and is available only during specified spring and summer dates, with last entry at 4:30 pm and departure by 5:00 pm. The New College visit is independent and not guided. The tour covers quiet college lanes and meadows associated with authors Lewis Carroll, C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, and J. K. Rowling, and highlights Oxford’s mix of Gothic and Baroque architecture. The entire experience lasts between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours, depending on whether the New College visit is included. Wheelchair users can join the tour, though one small area is inaccessible, and some parts of New College may be difficult to access due to uneven surfaces.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Meeting Point at 11 Broad Street
Meet the guide outside at the red pillar mailbox in front of 11 Broad Street. The guide will wear a royal blue item with a heraldic shield, which could be a jacket, cap, beanie, scarf, or polo shirt.
Balliol College
View one of the oldest university colleges and learn about its architectural significance while gaining an overview of Oxford University’s history.
5 min
Trinity College
Hear about unusual traditions associated with the college, including student pranks and the presence of tortoises, illustrating aspects of student life.
5 min
Sheldonian Theatre
Learn about the 13 busts displayed on the pillars and receive clarification on a common misconception about the building.
5 min
Divinity School and Graduation Ceremony
Learn details of the Oxford graduation ceremony and, when possible, view the interior of the Divinity School, known for its appearance in the Harry Potter films.
10 min
Bodleian Library
Discover some of the library’s treasures among its collection of 12 million books and hear about its long history.
5 min
Radcliffe Camera
Examine the famous dome, known as one of the Oxford Dreaming Spires, and learn why the building’s name does not relate to photography.
5 min
All Souls College
Hear about the rigorous examination required for admission and be presented with examples of past exam questions.
5 min
University Church of St. Mary the Virgin
Understand the historical tensions between the university and the town while viewing the church’s architecture.
5 min
Oriel College
Learn about protests related to the college’s history and its main funder.
10 min
Christ Church Meadow
Visit one of Oxford’s well-known sites, associated with several prominent historical figures linked to the college.
10 min
New College Self-Guided Visit
If this option is selected, after the walking tour, visitors walk to New College on Holywell Street for a self-guided visit. Open from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm (spring/summer 2025), with last entry at 4:30 pm and all visitors leaving by 5:00 pm.
45 min
Meeting point
Important: meet the guide OUTSIDE the address, not inside. The location is not part of our business. The meeting point is the RED PILLAR MAILBOX in front of 11 Broad Street. Your guide wears a royal blue item of clothing with a heraldic shield—this may be a jacket, cap, beanie, scarf, or polo shirt.
End point
If the New College option is selected
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.